Source: Dominique Easley, Patriots hit snag in contract negotiations

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First-round pick Dominique Easley and the Patriots were closing in on a contract agreement last week, but negotiations have since hit a bump in the road, according to a source. It doesn't sound like a deal is imminent at this point.

Easley, like all draft picks, can practice without a contract until the start of training camp, so the snag in negotiations doesn't impact Easley's ability to be at the facility or on the field. He's been practicing on a limited basis since reporting to Gillette Stadium two weeks ago.

With the rookie wage scale, contracts have become formulaic, but teams and first-round picks still haggle over offset language and guaranteed money. At this point, 10 of the league's 32 first-rounders have signed their deals.

Easley and second-round quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo are the only unsigned draft picks among the Patriots' class of nine.